Tourism Authority of Thailand announces new Director

BANGKOK, Thailand - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today announced the appointment of Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya as Director of its International Public Relations Division. Mr. Chattan brings to the position 25 years of experience developing and implementing effective public relations and marketing communication strategies for TAT, both within Thailand and internationally.

In his new role, Mr. Chattan will lead the 20 professional staff in TATâ€™s international PR team in their mission of promoting Thailand as the tourist destination of choice for travelers worldwide, through both traditional and online media channels. He is responsible for strengthening relations and overseeing communications with media from all countries outside of Thailand, as well as foreign media representatives stationed in the kingdom. Mr. Chattan will expand the international PR division's online presence and direct the Tourism Crisis Communications Center when situations requiring a response arise. He will also facilitate visits by corporate and media VIP guests to Thailand.

Prior to his new position, Mr. Chattan spent four years as Director of TAT's New Delhi Office, where he led the TAT's marketing initiatives for northern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. He first joined TAT in 1987 as an International Relations Officer, becoming Chief of the Foreign News Section for TAT's Public Relations Division in 1991. He joined TAT's Sydney Office as Assistant Director in 1995, responsible for marketing and public relations activities in Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Chattan returned to Thailand in 1999 as Assistant Director for the International Relations Division, where he strengthened TAT's relationships with international tourism organizations and associations. Starting in 2002, he served as Director for TAT's Central Region Office: Region 6 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. This was followed by one year as Director for the TAT Central Region Office: Region 3 in Pattaya and his first stint as the International Relations Division Director during 2006-2007 before he relocated to India in late 2007.

Mr. Chattan holds a BA in Political Science from Chulalongkorn University and an MA in International Relations from Boston University in the USA.